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Holding Space with Dr. Barker
Welcome to Holding Space with Dr. Barker—a podcast dedicated to fostering personal growth, emotional healing, and professional development. Hosted by Dr. Christopher Barker, a seasoned psychologist with over two decades of clinical experience, this podcast offers a thoughtful, compassionate space for meaningful conversations about mental health and psychotherapy.
Whether you're on your own path toward greater self-awareness and well-being, or you're a fellow therapist committed to deepening your clinical skills, you’ll find insightful discussions, evidence-based strategies, and expert guidance to support your journey.
Each week, Dr. Barker draws on his extensive training—including a Ph.D. from Seton Hall University, a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology from Radford University, and a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from The New School for Social Research—to explore topics like trauma recovery, emotional regulation, therapeutic techniques, and the art of holding space for others.
Join us for educational series, interviews with leading voices in the field, and practical tools designed to inspire personal discovery and professional transformation.
This is your space for reflection, learning, and connection.
Welcome to Holding Space.
Holding Space with Dr. Barker
Emotionally Immature Partners: Signs, Impact & Growth | Holding Space with Dr. Christopher Barker
In this episode of Holding Space, Dr. Christopher Barker explores the complex world of emotionally immature partners—what emotional immaturity looks like in relationships, how it impacts connection, and what you can do about it. Building on past discussions of emotionally immature parents and psychological development, Dr. Barker breaks down the key traits of emotionally underdeveloped individuals—such as lack of empathy, difficulty with vulnerability, boundary issues, and emotional reactivity.
We also discuss the danger of misusing psychological labels like "narcissistic" or "borderline," and how miscommunication around those terms can lead to misunderstanding and judgment. Dr. Barker offers guidance on how to compassionately and clearly address emotional immaturity in your partner—or in yourself—without labeling or shaming. This episode offers insight into how past trauma, neglect, or poor emotional modeling in childhood can lead to emotional immaturity in adulthood, and why therapy, communication, and self-awareness are key tools for healing.
Whether you’re in a relationship with someone who struggles emotionally, grew up in a home without emotional depth, or want to better understand your own behavior, this episode provides thoughtful, balanced, and practical insights.
🧠 Emotional growth is possible. And it begins with awareness.
🎧 Don’t forget to like, comment, subscribe, and share your questions. Dr. Barker is here to keep holding space for your healing journey.
barkerholdingspace@gmail.com
Holding Space For You